ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Former Navy head football coach Paul Johnson is one of nine FBS coaches on the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame ballot released today by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.
"It's an enormous honor to just be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Being in today's elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to have ever played or coached the game and we look forward to announcing the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class early next year."
"It's quite an honor to be on the ballot and in my mind it's a reflection of all the people I had a chance to work with," said Johnson. "I always valued my time at Navy, it's certainly a very special place and I got the opportunity to deal with special people. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."
The ballot was emailed today to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. The Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers and members of the media.
"Having a ballot and a voice in the selection of the College Football Hall of Fame inductees is one of the most cherished NFF member benefits," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Mississippi. "There is no group more knowledgeable or passionate about college football than our membership, and the tradition of the ballot helps us engage them in the lofty responsibility of selecting those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in our sport."
A coach becomes eligible three full seasons after retirement or immediately following retirement provided he is at least 70 years of age. Active coaches become eligible at 75 years of age. Coaches must have been a head football coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage.
The announcement of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2023, with specific details to be announced in the future.
The 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 5, 2023, and permanently immortalized at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. They will also be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2023 season.
Johnson compiled a 189-100 record in 22 years as a head coach at Georgia Southern (1997-01), Navy (2002-07) and Georgia Tech (2008-18).
Johnson was 62-10 in five years at Georgia Southern, winning the I-AA National Championship in 1999 and 2000. Georgia Southern was 36-4 against Southern Conference foes, as the Eagles won conference title all five years.
Johnson was 45-29 in six years at Navy including a 43-19 mark over his final five years. He led Navy to five bowl games, including a win in the 2004 Emerald Bowl and the 2005 Poinsettia Bowl. Even more impressive, Johnson led the Mids to five-consecutive Commander-in-Chief Trophies and was 11-1 against Service Academy foes Air Force (5-1) and Army (6-0). Navy had gone 22 years without winning the CIC Trophy before Johnson won it in 2003. In 2007 he led Navy to a 46-44 triple overtime victory over Notre Dame, breaking the nation's longest winning streak by one school over another at 43 games.
He posted an 82-61 record in his 11 years at Georgia Tech, leading the Yellow Jackets to three ACC title games and nine bowl games. He led Georgia Tech to the Orange Bowl in 2009 and an Orange Bowl win in 2014.
Navy has 24 players or coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame including head coaches Gil Dobie (1917-19), George Welsh (1973-81) and Wayne Hardin (1959-64).
Other FBS coaches on the ballot include:
Larry Blakeney-Troy (1991-2014)
Jim Carlen-West Virginia (1966-69), Texas Tech (1970-74), South Carolina (1975-81)
Pete Cawthon Sr.-Austin College [TX] (1923-27), Texas Tech (1930-40)
Larry Coker-Miami [FL] (2001-06), University of Texas at San Antonio (2011-15)
Ralph Friedgen-Maryland (2001-10)
Mark Richt-Georgia (2001-15), Miami [FL] (2016-18)
Darryl Rogers-Cal State East Bay (1965), Fresno State (1966-72), San Jose State (1973-75), Michigan State (1976-79), Arizona State (1980-84)
Frank Solich-Nebraska (1998-03), Ohio (2005-20)
